Coin-changer mechanism



p 11, 1951 c. B. WINKLER 2,567,900

COIN CHANGER MECHANISM Filed Oct. 11, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 i 35,JNVENTOR.

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Hrs ATTORNEY.

Sept. 11, 1951 c. B. WINKLER COIN CHANGER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Oct. 11, 1946 f I I (2mm (My;

9061M 77?. 5am, Hrs A TI'ORNEYI Sept. 11, 1951 c. B. WINKLER com CHANGERMECHANISM Filed Oct. 11, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 NTOR.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 11, 1946 av .42 m

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iatented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN-CHANGERMECHANISM Clarance B, Winkler, Chicago, 111.

Application October 11, 1946, Serial No. 702,763

3 Claims. (01. 194- 405 This invention relates to coin changers ingeneral and is particularly concerned with coin-controlled mechanismsadapted to operate vending machines and the like.

An object and accomplishment of the invention is toprovide acoin-controlled mechanism adapted to be operatively connected to anytype of vending apparatus and designed for the insertion of a coin ofvalue equal to or in excess of the price of the vended commodity, whichmechanism, upon the insertion of a coin, actuates a vending device todeliver the commodity, and if the value of the inserted coin is greaterthan the price of the commodity, releases the exact change.

The invention also comprehends the provision of a coin-controlledmechanism embodying the principles of the subject invention, butcharacterized by the absence of vendor device actuation, and adaptableto release change in the exact aggregate value of the inserted coin.

Yet another and essential objector the coinchanger mechanism ascontemplated herein is the provision therein of means whereby only bonafide coins are allowed to pass through the machine, anything havingsemblance of a mutilated coin, slug or otherwise, after insertion, beingimmediately directed into a discharge chute and returned.

Another object is to construct a coin-changer mechanism which shallcooperate by means ofelectric energy.

A further object of the subject mechanism is to provide change returnmechanism which will return the correct change substantiallyconcurrently with energization of the vending releasecircuit subsequentto insertion of a proper value coin of greater value than the commoditywhich is delivered.

A still further object of the subject mechanism is to provide meanswhereby the machine cannot be made to operate except by the insertion ofa proper coin into same, and whereby a proper coin inserted into themachine is returned under certain conditions as, for example, when aspecific or related coin-change magazine should become empty.

A feature of the mechanism as contemplated herein is the provision ofmeans whereby inserted proper coins are received into respectivecoinmagazines and these inserted coins may subsequently be used to makechange for future inserted proper coins.

The invention seeks, as a still further object to provide a coin-changermechanism such as contemplated herein and characterized by a com 2bination of-parts arranged to more satisfactorily perform the variousfunctions required of them and adapted to provide a compact assemblywhich will successfully combine the factors of structural simplicity,effi-ciency and durability, and yet be economical to manufacture.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosedherein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after theconstruction and operation are understood from'the within description.

It is preferred to accomplish the various objeets of this invention andto practice the same in substantially the manner hereinafter fullydescribed and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form a part ofthis specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a coinchanger mechanism embodyingthe invention with related portions of a conventional vending machineillustrated to show the manner of installation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the coinchanger mechanismdepicted in Fig. l and taken substantially on the plane of the line 2-2in Fig. l to illustrate a typical coin magazine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of upper portions of the coinmagazine depicted in Fig. 2 and taken substantially on the plane of theline 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of the coin-changer mechanismdepicted in Fig. 1 and taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4in Fig. 1 to illustrate the'coin magazine adapted to receive the largestdenomination of coins;

Fig. 5 is a top plan .view of the coin-changer mechanism depicted inFig. 1 and taken substantially on the plane of the line 5-5 in Fig, 1and having portions of the casing shown cut away to better illustratethe construction of the device;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of lower portions of a coinmagazine preferably adapted to receive nickels;

Fig. '7 is a sectional plan view of the coin magazine depicted in Fig. 6and taken substantially on the plane of the line 1-1 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the nickel pay-oil slide depicted in Figs.6 and '7 and taken substantially on the plane of the'line 8-8 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of lower portions of a coinmagazine preferably adapted to receive dimes;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of the coin mag- 3 azine depicted inFig. 9 and taken substantially on the plane of the line |ll! in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the dime pay-01f slide depicted in Figs. 9and 10 and taken substantially on the plane of the line I ill in Fig. 9;and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic outline of the electrical circuits ascontemplated herein.

The drawings are to be understood as being more or less of a schematiccharacter for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing a typical andpreferred form of the improvements contemplated herein, and in thedrawings like reference characters identify the same parts in theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, specifically Figs. 1 and 5, I haveillustrated the coin-changer mechanism with which the present inventionis particularly concerned and designated in its entirety by the numeral2i as being employed in an adjunctive capacity with a Vending machine,desi nated in its entirety by the letter A, the vending machine being ofany of the usualconventional types such as, for example, those whichdispense certain articles and commodities, or of a type which includegames, pin-ball machines, jukeboXes, etc. Said vending machines usuallyeffect release of the commodity or permit operation thereof byenergization of an electric current and since the vending machines inand of themselves have no particular part in the present invention,complete illustration thereof is omitted.

For purposes of illustration, it is deemed sufficient to only showportions of the vending machine directly related to the coin-changermechanism such as, for example, the front wall 2| thereof, the generalconstruction of said conventional vending machines being well known tothose persons skilled ,in the art. The front wall 2i is provided with acoin slot 22 adapted, in this instance, to receive pennies, nickels,dimes and quarters. A change Pocket 23 is provided to facilitateaccumulation of change deposited in the pocket by the coin-changermechanism 20, the pocket beinglocated below the coin slot 22 andprojecting outwardly of the front wall within easy reach of thepurchaser so that he may conveniently remove the change to which he maybe entitled.

Vending machines of this type ordinarily have a coin detector, of whichseveral types may be purchased in the open market, through which thecoin must pass, these devices separating out and rejecting spuriouscoins, slugs, etc., and passing genuine coins for operation in themachine. One type of these detectors is illustrated as at 24, but thedetail of its design and action not being a part of this invention, isnot herein set forth. However, the present invention contemplates theprovision of additional means, as a double precaution, to reject suchspurious coins, or coins of not the correct denomination. Such meanswill hereinafter be described in detail. In most cases, however, I havefound that the coin detector means employed as a part of my invention isadequate and the usual coin detector 24 may be dispensed with. In suchcases only a coin slot as at 22 will be provided.

Sun-ice it to say, since the invention is not particularly concernedwith the precise details of construction of vending machines generally,they will not be further described in detail. It is to be understoodthat details of construction of the vending machine as disclosed hereinmay be modified to suit particular conditions, and I do not wish to belimited to the details of construction as set forth.

Having thus described the general environment surrounding thecoin-changer mechanism with which the present invention is particularlyconcerned, the specific construction and cooperating function of partsof said coin-changer mechanism will now be described in detail.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawingsthe mechanism 20 is desirably enclosed in a case 30 comprising end walls3i and 32, a top wall 33, a, back wall 34 and a side wall 35 removablysecured to the other 'walls by means of suitable screws as at 36. Thebottom of the case is provided with a U-shaped coin chute 31 in opencommunication with the coin pocket 23 and adapted to receive coinsdischarged from the various coin magazines to be hereinafter described,and deposit the coins into the coin pocket 23 to within easy reach ofthe purchaser. The casing 30 is provided with suitable dependingbrackets 38 and 39 which may be secured to any convenient part of thevending machine for holding the casing in position. An opening 40 in thetop wall 33 is provided to re ceive end portions of the discharge end ofthe coin chute 22.

Disposed adjacent to and in open communication with the coin chute 22 isa V-shaped extension chute 4! suitably secured to the back wall 34 andbridging the space between the end of the coin chute 22 and thebeginning of a coin track designated in its entirety by the numeral 42.The chute 4| is provided with a deflector plate 43 (Fig, 5) to properlyposition the coins as they are discharged from the chute 22 into theextension chute l 1, said deflector plate preferably being adjustablysecured to the chute 4| by means of screws such as at 44.

Referring to Fig. 1, the mechanism proper comprises, in general, thecoin track 42 which is preferably V-shaped, suitably secured to the backwall 34, sufficiently inclined to cause a coin to move therein by forceof gravity and provided with a plurality of apertures 45, 46, 41, 48, 49and 50; a dime magazine designated in its entirety by the numeral 51; anickel magazine designated in its entirety by the numeral 52; and aquarter magazine designated in its entirety by the numeral 53.

Disposed within the casing 30 I have provided a coin deflector shield 54whose outline is defined by dotted lines in Fig. 1 and is clearly shownin full lines in Figs. 2 and 4, said deflector shield comprising a metalplate suitably bent and extending from the back wall 34 just below thecoin track 42 forwardly and downwardly to terminate at the top of thecoin chute 31, thereby to shield portions of the lower parts of the coinmagazines. The deflector shield is provided with an inclined dependingflange as at 55.

As shown in the drawings, the machine is adapted to cause the actuationof a vending machine and more important, to make change for a five centarticle dispensed by said vending machine, the purchaser having thechoice of inserting into the coin slot 22 either one nickel, one dime orone quarter and receiving therefor either the article, the article and anickel in change or the article and two dimes in change depending, ofcourse, on what coin he had inserted.

As has been hereinbefore stated, the vending machines usually areprovided with coin detectors which detect improper coins as slugs, etc.

however, I have also-provided means tnmydevioe chaser shouldinadvertently insert such a slug;

the slug will begin its downward journey in the coin track 42 afterhaving been properly positioned to lie against the forward wall-5B (Fig.2) f the coin track 42 by thedefiector '43, and it will have to pass theaperture -45, the aperture 45-being of a-size to allow a dime to passwithout falling through but not a slug smaller than a dime or other coinof "like s'izeor smaller. Therefore, the slug will 'fall out of the-coiltrack '42, through the aperture 45 and tall upon the inclined surface ofthe deflector 54 -"(F-ig. '2 to be guided in its fall down to the coinichute 31 and thereafter out to the coin pocket '23 -'(F-ig. 1-).Moreover, the other apertures, specifically apertures 41 and 49, performa like function as the aperture 45 withrespect to larger coins and willin general comprises a funnel shaped :section -.6|

' ceptacle being fixedly secured to the back wall be described more indetail as the description proceeds.

Referring to Fig. 5, assuming adime is inserted into the slot 22, itbeing a proper coin will permit it to pass through the coin detector 24.The dime will then begin its downward journey in the coin track 42 afterhaving been properly positioned to lie against the forward wall '56(Fig. 2) of the coin track-42 by the deflector 43 and thereafter willpass the aperture 45 because the dime is of proper size, and willcontinue to the aperture 46 where it will be received into said apertureto fall into the dime magazine 5|. Now, in the event, for someunforeseen reason, the dime should not fall into proper dime aperture46, it will surely fall out -of the coin track 42 through the nextaperture 4! to be carried for return to the purchaser via the deflector54 and the coin chute 3-! to the coin pocket 23.

If the purchaser should inadvertently insert a penny into the coin slot22, it being a proper coin will permit it to pass through the detector24 if one is employed; however, as the penny begins its downward journeyin the 'coin track 42 after having been properly'positioned to lieagainst the forward wall BGGFig. 2) of the coin track -42 by thedeflector 43, it will have to pass the apertures 45 and 46, the pennybeing larger in size than the apertures 45 and-=46 will continue to movedownwardly past these apertures to the aperture '41 where it will surelyfall out of the coin track '42 to be carried for return to the purchaservia the deflector 5 4 and the -'coin chute 3! to the coin pocket 23.

Assuming a nickel is inserted into the slot '22, it being a propercoinwill permit'it to "pass through the coin detector 24. The nickel "thenwill- 'begin its downward journey in the coin slot as described withrespect to the dime, but since the nickel is of largersize than any ofthe apertures 45, 4'6 and 41, the nickel will continue Eto movedownwardly past these apertures to be received a into aperture 48 to"fallinto the nickel magazine 52. Further, in the event thenickel, forsome unforeseen reason, should not fall into the proper nickel aperture48, it surely will 'f-all out of the coin track 42 through the nextaperture to be carried forreturn to the purchaser via the deflector 5'4and the coin -chute 31' to the coin pocket123. I

In like manner a :quarter will pass along the 11-. win-1 be: receiy'ed:into said apertureto fall into 'the quarter ma'gazine 53., It isnotable that the coin track .is provided with .an open end 1811 throughwhich a quarterwill passin the direction of the arrows -in Fig.x5Jinithe eventiit should fail to enter the aperture 450.: The quarterwill then be returned to the purchaser via the deflector ;54 (Figs;mend-L5) and the coin .chute 3.1 to the coin pocket 23 :(Figs. 1 and.2

Having thus described the operation of the -co'in"track.42 whoseconstruction and the cooperative function thereof with the coinmagazines is an important feature iofniy invention, "the coin magazineswill now be described :in detail.

Referring to Figs. 1 and2, the dime magazine adapted to be fixedlysecured to the .coin track 42 below the dime aperture 46 :bymeans,ofsuitable screws as atilfi sand :16, a coin receptacle r63 of suitablesize to receive dimes, the .said reand suitably spaced. therefrom .by:the insulation blocks ii i and 651 and the brackets EB and 161. :It isnotable that the section .6] is spaced from'the receptacle63 as at26311.

Carried bythe front wall of theiunnel shaped section-iii, is anelectrical switchifiii having suitable normally open contacts 69 and 16which are caused tobe closed by action of a lever arrangement H carriedby the lower portions .of the switch. The lever arrangement :11 maybemade of wire stock of suitable. tension and thickness to define an endportion'l2 .adapted ,to he received into an aperture 13 in thefunnelshaped section El thereby to project into said section. Thespecific function of :thisswitch will :be thereinafter describedindetail.

:Disposed below the coin receptacle this a dime ejectorm'echanismdesignated in its entirety. by the numeral 86, and comprising .a bracket3| having a depending flange 82 suitably securedto the back wall 34.bymeans of suitable screws .as

at 83' and having between said flange and said back wall, a suitableinsulation spacer '84, said bracket having a recess .85 adapted toreceive .for

sliding movement therein, a coin ejector Ibar'i86.

- As shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, the coin ejector bar 86 is providedwith .a cut-out I81 adapted to receive two dimes when in itsposition-below the coin receptacle 63, said ibar also beingconnected atone endthereof to thrusterarm 88 of a conventional solenoid 89 which,when.properlyenergized, as will :be hereinafter described, will pull the=ej ecr-toribar-flfifrom its normal position, thereby-causing two dimesto be pulled from the stack :in the coinreceptacle 63.

When the ejector .bar is pulled toithe right sufficiently so that.thecoins in the cut-Lout 8'! are no longer supported by the bracket ti,they will fall out .of the cut-out and into the coin chute :stance, withthe arrangement being described, the

ejector bar 86 is of such thickness so as 130 draw off two dimes.

In orderto cause the ejector bar 86 to return to its normal position toreceive two more dimes into its cut-out 81, I have providedaspring means90 formed of spring wire of suitable tension and thicknessto urge thethruster :armrfiii tohthe left asshown in Figs. 1 .and -9 to its znormalzposition.

poi-n track :42- to the quarte'r aperture ill where .7 I 'Ioapreventthesspringmeansaall :frorn urgingzthe ejector bar 86 too far to the leftand so, that the cut-out will be properly positioned below the stack ofcoins in the receptacle, 1 have provided the ejector bar 86 with anintegral downwardly projecting flange 9| adapted to engage the bracket8|, thereby to stop movement of the ejector bar toward the left.

The nickel magazine 52 is of similar construction as that of thehereinbefore described dime magazine 5I and, in general, comprises afunnel shaped section 95 adapted to be fixedly secured to the coin track42 below the nickel aperture 48 by means of suitable screws as at 96 and91 (Fig. 1), and a coin receptacle 98 of suitable size to receivenickels, the said receptacle being fixedly secured to the back wall 34and suitably spaced therefrom by the insulation blocks 64 and B5 and thebrackets 66 and 61. It is notable that the section 95 is spaced from thereceptacle 98 as at 99.

Carried by the front wall of the funnel shaped section 95 is anelectrical switch I having suitable normally open contacts IOI and I02(Fig. 12) which are caused to be closed by action of a lever arrangementI03 (Fig. 1) carried by lower portions of the switch. The leverarrangement I03 may be made of wire stock of suitable tension andthickness to define an end portion I04 adapted to be received into anaperture I05 in the funnel shaped section 95, thereby to project intosaid section. The specific function of this switch will be hereinafterdescribed in detail.

Adverting to Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8, disposed below the nickel coinreceptacle 98 is a nickel ejector mechanism designated in its entiretyby the numeral I05, and comprising a bracket I01 having a dependingflange I08 suitably secured to the back wall 34 by means of suitablescrews as at W811 and having between said flange and said back wall theinsulation spacer 84, said bracket having a recess I09 adapted toreceive for sliding movement therein, a coin ejector bar I I0.

The coin ejector bar H0 is provided with an aperture III adapted toreceive one nickel when in its normal position below the coin receptacle98, said bar also being connected at one end thereof to a thruster armH2 of a conventional. solenoid H3 which, when properly energized, aswill be hereinafter described, will pull the ejector bar H0 from itsnormal position, thereby causing a nickel to be pulled from the stack inthe coin receptacle 98.

When the nickel coin ejector bar H0 is pulled to the left sufiicientlyso that the coin in the aperture I I I is no longer supported by thebracket I0I, the coin will fall out of the aperture and into the coinchute 31 (Fig. l) to be carried to the coin pocket 23 within easy reachof the purchaser.

It can be seen that the number of coins drawn off from the bottom of thestack is dependent upon the thickness of the ejector bar H0. In thisinstance, with the arrangement being described, the ejector bar H0 is ofsuch thickness so as to draw off only one nickel.

In order to cause the ejector bar H0 to return to its normal position toreceive one more nickel into its aperture III, I have provided a springmeans H5 formed of spring wire of suitable tension and thickness to urgethe thruster arm to the right as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 to its normalposition.

To prevent the spring means H5 from urging the ejector bar H0 too far tothe right and so that the aperture will be properly positioned below thestack ofcoins in the receptacle, I have provided the ejector bar I Inwith integral downwardly projecting flanges H6 and H1 adapted to engagethe bracket I01, thereby to stop movement of the ejector bar to theright.

Referring toFigs. 1 and 4, the quarter coin magazine-53 in generalcomprises a funnel shaped section I20 adapted to be fixedly secured tothe coin track 42 below the quarter aperture 50 by means of suitablescrews I2! and I22, and a coin chute I23 suitably secured to the backwall 34.

Disposed on the exterior face of the back wall 34, I have provided aclosed coin chute I 25. The coin chute I23 is in open communication withthe coin chute I25 because of the opening I26 (Fig. 4) in the back wall34. The coin chute I25 is provided with an open end I2! opening into aremovable coin receptacle I28 (Fig. 2) adapted to receive the quarter.Since the quarters are never employed for making change, they areretained in the receptacle I28 until removed by the owner.

Carried by the front wall of the funnel shaped section I20 is anelectrical switch I30 having suitable normally open contact points I3Iand I32 which are caused to be closed by action of a lever arrangementI33 carried by the lower portions of the switch. The lever arrangementI33 may be made of wire stock of suitable tension and thickness todefine an end portion I34 adapted to be received into an aperture I35 inthe funnel shaped section I20, thereby to project into said section. Thespecific function of this switch will be hereinafter described indetail.

The electrical instrumentalities and circuits therefor by means of whichthe functions of the machine are performed are shown, in partstructurally and in part diagrammatically, in Fig. 12, which representsa coin-changer mechanism, as contemplated herein, employed in anadjunctive capacity in a vending machine for a five cent article ofmerchandise. It is notable that the machine is adapted to cause theactuation of a vending machin and simultaneously therewith, make changefor a five cent article dispensed by said vending machine in the event acoin of greater value than a nickel is inserted.

In the present arrangement the purchaser has the choice of insertinginto the coin slot 22 either one nickel, one dime or one quarter andreceiving therefor either the article, the article and a nickel inchange or the article and two dimes in change depending, of course, onwhat coin he had inserted.

Having thus described the general construction of the coin-changermechanism contemplated herein, the cooperative function and operation ofparts will now be described.

When a dime is inserted into the slot 22 and is received into the dimeaperture 46 as hereinbefore described, it will fall into the funnelshaped section BI (Figs. 1 and 2) and thereafter continue downwardly tostrike the end Portion I2 of the lever arrangement II of th switch 68,thereby causing the contacts 69 and 10 to close momentarily, therebyenergizing simultaneously a conventional relay I40 (Figs. 1 and 12)disposed within the casing 30 and the solenoid H3.

The energization of the relay I40 will cause a magnetic field to passthrough contact I40a to attract a switch lever I41, thereby to closecontacts I48 and I49, which will close a circuit to send an electricalimpulse to the vending machine actuator (not shown) via the line I42,thereby starting the vending cycle to operate to deliver the article inthe usual conventional manner. It

can be seen (Fig. 12) that the circuit through the switch lever I41passes from the hot line through the switch I41 to the line I42. Theline MI is a neutral or ground line completing the circuit for therelays. The energization of the solenoid II3 will cause the solenoid tooperate as hereinbefore described, thereby causing a, nickel in changeto be delivered to the purchaser via the coin chute 31 and the coinpocket 23 (Fig. 1). j

After the inserted dime has proceeded past the lever arrangement II itwill fall into'the dime receptacle 63 to be stacked and retained thereinfor the purpose of making change for inserted quarters. This is a veryimportant feature of my invention because, with the present.construction and arrangement of parts, I have eliminated the necessityof employing a plurality of large changemaking magazines as found inprior art structures.

When a nickel is inserted into the slot 22 and is received into thenickel aperture 08 of the coin track 42 as hereinbefore described, thenickel will fall into the funnel shaped section 95 (Fig. 1) andthereafter continue downwardly to strike the end portion I04 of thelever arrangement I03 of the switch I00, thereby causing the contactsIOI and I02 (Fig. 12) to close momentarily, whereby an electricalimpulse will be sent to the vending machine actuator (not shown) di-.rectly via the line I42, thereby causing the vending machine to deliverthe article in the usual and conventional manner. Since the vend'edarticle is a five cent article no further action takes place except thatafter the nickel has proceeded past the lever arrangement I03, it willfall into the nickel receptacle 9%) to be stacked and retained thereinfor the purpose of making change for inserted dimes as hereinbeforedescribed.

When a quarter is inserted into the 'coin slot 22 and is received intothe quarter aperture 50 of the coin track 42 as hereinbefore described,it will fall into the funnel shaped section I20 (Figs. 1 and 4) andthereafter continue downwardly to strike the end portion I34 of thelever arrangement of the switch I30, thereby causing the contacts I 3|and I32 to close momentarily, thereby energizing simultaneously aconventional relay I45 (Figs. 1 and 12) disposed within the casing 30and the solenoid 89.

The energization of the relay 545 will cause a magnetic field to passthrough contact I450. to attract the switch lever I41, thereby to closecontacts I 48 and I40 which will close a circuit to send an electricalimpulse to the vending machine actuator (not shown) via the line I 32,thereby starting the vending cycle to operate to deliver the article inthe usual conventional manner.

The energization of the solenoid 09 will cause the solenoid to operateas hereinbefore described, thereby causing two dimes to be delivered tothe purchaser via the coin chute 3'! and the coin pocket 23 (Fig. 1).

After the quarter has proceeded past the lever arrangement I33, it willfall. into the coin chute I23 and thereafter be conveyed by gravitythrough the opening I26 (Fig. 4) in the back wall 34 and into the closedcoin chute I25 downwardly to the coin receptacle I28 (Figs. 1 and 2).Since the quarters are never employed for the purpose of making changethey are retained in said receptacle I28 until removed at theconvenience of the owner.

It is notable that only one coin slot 22 is provided to receive allsizes of coins. This leads to economy of manufacture and readyadaptability of the coin-changer, as contemplated here'- in, to beadvantageously installed into conventional vending machines withoutextensive alterations. Moreover, the compact structure of the case andthe arrangement of parts therein successfully combine the factors ofstructural simplicity, efiiciency and durability, and yet thecoin-changer is economical to manufacture. Because of the combination ofthe aforementioned factors, the coin-changer is economical to maintain,requires very little care and will operate for long periods of timewithout adjustment or repair.

The coin receptacles may be made of any size to accommodate any numberof coins by merely increasing their length, the particular sizedepending, of course, on particular conditions.

Accordingly, another feature of my invention is the provision of meanswhereby excess coins in the nickel and dime magazines will be divertedfrom their respective receptacles in the event the receptacles shouldbecome full. This is advantageously accomplished in my invention by theprovision of a chute I (Fig. 2) integrally formed of the back wall 34 ofthe casing and being arranged in close contact with theupper portions ofthe magazine 63. A similar chute is provided for the nickel receptacle98; however, since the construction is the same, it is not shown.

As a dime passes through the lower portions of the funnel section BI, itwill normally fall directly into the magazine 63 and assume the posi-'tion shown by the stacked coins. When the receptacle 63 becomes full ofdimes to the level indicated by the dotted lines, the coins fallingthrough the funnel section 6I will strike the stacked coins and therebybe deflected to the chute I59 to be diverted downwardly of the inclinesurface of the chute I50, through an aperture I52 in the back wall 35and into the closed coin chute I25 to be conveyed by gravity to the coinreceptacle I28 to be retained therein until removed therefrom at theconvenience of 'the owner. It is notable that the chute similar tense inthe nickel magazine functions exactly the same and,'therefore, will notbe further described.

In addition to and to cooperate with the hereinbefore described featuresof my invention I have provided means whereby an inserted quarter willbe returned to the purchaser in the event the dime magazine shouldbecome empty. Similar means are provided to return an inserted dime inthe event the nickel magazine should become empty.

The return of the inserted quarter, in the event the dime magazineshould become empty, is advantageously accomplished by the provision ofan electrical switch I55 (Figs. 1, 9 and 12), which switch is carried bythe bracket 67 and has suitable normally open contacts I56 and I5! whichare caused to be closed by action of a lever arrangement I58 carried bythe lower portions of the switch. The lever arrangement I58 may be 7made of wire stock of suitable tension and thickness to define an endportion I59 adapted to be received into a slot I50 in the dime coinreceptacle B3 and into engagement with the peripheral edges 0f the dimesin said receptacle as shown in Fig. 9.

Now, as long as there are a sufficient number of dimes in the dimereceptacle 63, the action of the lever arrangement I58 will cause thecontacts I 56 and I51 to be held open. If the dime supply should reach apoint below Where they will not be contacted by the end portion I59, theend portion will pivot inwardly and upwardly in the slot I66, therebycausing the lever arrangement to close the contacts I56 and I51,whereupon the circuit will be closed to cause the operation of aconventional solenoid I'6I (Figs. 1 and 12) suitably mounted on the backWall 34, whereby, through suitable linkage as at I62, a gate I63swingably mounted within the funnel-shaped section I26 (Fig. 3) andadapted to close the quarter aperture 50, will be actuated to close saidquarter aperture.

When such aperture is closed, an inserted quarter will travel in thecoin track 42 beyond the aperture 50 and fall out of the coin track 42through the open end 60 and fall upon the inclined surface of thedeflector 54 to be guided to the coin chute 31 and then to the coinpocket 23 where it can be removed by the purchaser.

The return of an inserted dime in the event the nickel magazine shouldbecome empty is advantageously accomplished by the provision of anelectrical switch I 65 (Figs. 1, 6 and 12), which switch is carried bythe bracket 6! and has suitable normally open contacts l66 and I6! whichare caused to be closed by a lever arrangement I68 carried by the lowerportions of the switch. The lever arrangement I66 may be made of wirestock of suitable tension and thickness to define an end portion I69adapted to be received into a slot I66 in the nickel coin receptacle 98and into engagement with the peripheral edges of the nickels stacked insaid receptacle as shown in Fig. 6.

Accordingly, as long as there are a sufiicient number of nickels in thenickel receptacle 98, the action of the lever arrangement I 68 willcause the contacts I66 and 16'! to be held open. If the nickel supplyshould reach a point below where they will not be contacted by the endportion I69, the end portion will pivot inwardly and upwardly in theslot I16, thereby causing the lever arrangement I68 to close thecontacts I66 and I61, whereupon the circuit will be closed to cause theoperation of a conventional solenoid HI (Figs. 1 and 12) suitablymounted on the back wall 31, whereby, through suitable linkage as at II2, a gate swingably mounted within the funnel shaped section 6| andsimilarly constructed as that shown in Fig. 3, will be actuated to closethe dime aperture 46.

When such aperture is closed, an inserted dime will travel in the cointrack 42 beyond the aperture 46 and fall out of the coin track throughthe next aperture 41 and fall upon the inclined surface of the deflector54 (Fig. 2) to be guided to the coin chute 31 and to the coin pocket 23where it can be removed by the purchaser.

Furthermore, with respect to the aforementioned feature of my invention,it is most important to understand that the elements just describedperform their functions substantially automatically and generallyrequire no personal attention or readjustment to bring the machine backinto full working condition. Moreover, it is important to understandthat in the event the dime magazine should be empty, the machine willreject inserted quarters, but will receive dimes and nickels ashereinbefore described and continue to function. After a few dimes areinserted by purchasers the end portion I59 (Fig. 9) will be forcedoutwardly to its normal position, thereby opening the contacts I56 andI? which will open the circuit and cause the gate I63 in the quartermagazine to open by gravity and thereafter, 1 1,-

'12 serted quarters will be received into the aperture 50 ashereinbefore described.

The same procedure is followed in the event the nickel magazine shouldbecome empty. The machine will reject inserted dimes, but will receiveinserted nickels and quarters as hereinbefore described and continue tofunction. After a few nickels are inserted by purchasers, the nickelsupply will be replenished and the end portion I69 (Fig. 6) will beforced outwardly to its normal position, thereby opening the contactsI66 and I6! which will open the circuit and cause the gate in the dimemagazine to open by gravity and thereafter, inserted dimes will bereceived into the aperture 46 as hereinbefore described.

Thus, the specific construction and the cooperative function of partshave been described with respect to a coin-changer mechanism of quartercapacity and as employed in an adjunctive capacity with a conventionalvending machine for.

vending a five cent item.

However, the invention also comprehends the provision of a coin-changermechanism embodying the principles as hereinbefore described, butcharacterized by the absence of the vendor device actuation, andadaptable to release change in the exact aggregate value of the insertedcoin.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but wish to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A coin-changer mechanism comprising a single coin track having afirst series of coins receiving apertures successively arranged andsized each to receive a different denomination of proper coins, saidcoin track having a second series of apertures alternately arranged withsaid first series of apertures and sized to receive improper coins andslugs and the like, a plurality of coin magazines each arranged in opencommuni-' cation with one of said apertures of said first mentionedseries and adapted to receive inserted coins falling through theirrespective aperture, at least one of said coin magazines being providedwith solenoid operated coin ejector means, and at least one other ofsaid coin magazines being provided with means in circuit with saidsolenoid and adaptable to close said circuit responsive to an insertedcoin whereby said solenoid will be caused to operate, guide meansassociated with said second series of apertures to guide said slugs andthe like in a predetermined path for ejecting the same from thecoin-changer mechanism, a coin chute extending below said last mentionedmeans and said coin magazines and adapted to receive said slugs and thelike and ejected coins thereafter to be conveyed by gravity outwardly ofsaid mechanism to Within easy reach of the operator, and swingable gatemeans carried by said coin track adjacent at least one of said coinmagazines and becoming operative when stacked coins in said magazine ormagazines are below a certain predetermined level, thereby to cause aninserted coin to be rejected, and becoming innomination of a coin forwhich change is to be delivered.

2. In a coin-changer mechanism comprising a plurality of coin magazineseach being fitted with coin ejector means and the lower portions of eachof said coin magazines being provided with a slot arranged to receive anoscillatable lever having a portion biased to extend through said slotwhen the coin magazine is empty, each of said oscillatable levers havinga switch on the opposite side of that end of said levers opposite to theportion which extends within said slots in said coin magazines, and saidswitches being in circuit with solenoids and an electric source, thoseimprovements which comprise a single coin slot arranged to receiveseveral different denominations of coins, a single coin track incommunication with said coin slot and disposed above the coin magazinesand having a series of coin receiving apertures successively arrangedand each sized to receive a different denomination of proper coins, saidcoin track having a second series of apertures alternately arranged withsaid first series of apertures and sized to receive improper coins andslugs and the like, said cointrack being provided with guide meansassociated with said second series of apertures to guide said slugs andthe like from the coin-changer mechanism, and said coin track beingprovided with individual swingable gate means at each of said firstseries of coin receiving apertures respectively to close the aperturewhen coins in one of the coin magazines are depleted, and to reopen saidaperture when the coins in said coin magazine are replenished, saidindividual swingable gate means each being connected to one of saidsolenoids which is operable to close the gate means upon closin of thesaid switch in circuit with said solenoid and operable by gravity toopen the gate means upon the opening of said switch.

3. In a coin-changer mechanism having a coin discharge chute withinreach of the operator and a single coin slot arranged to receive severaldifferent denominations of coins, those improvements which comprise asingle coin track in communication with said coin slot and having afirst series of coin receiving apertures successively ar ranged and eachsized to receive a different denomination of proper coins, said cointrack having a second series of apertures alternately arranged with saidfirst series of apertures and sized to receive improper coins and slugsand the like, guide means associated with said second series ofapertures to guide said slugs and the like to the coin discharge chute,a plurality of coin magazines each arranged in open communication withone of said apertures of said first mentioned series and adapted toreceive inserted coins falling through their respective aperture,swingable gate means adjacent at least one of said first series of coinreceiving apertures, level detecting means responsive to the drop in thelevel of the coins in the coin magazines, and means actuated by saidresponsive means to set the gate means in position to bridge theaperture leading to the respective magazines corresponding to thedenomination of a coin for which change is to be delivered.

CLARANCE B. WINKLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 502,715 Gunther Aug. 8, 18931,575,537 Burian Mar. 2, 1926 1,985,305 Wilson Dec. 25, 1934 2,122,550Adrian July 5, 1938 2,250 051 Patzer July 22, 1941 2,271,397 McDennottJan. 27, 19 12 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 280,238 Germany of1914

